Maxx Crosby takes Fernando Mendoza under his wing despite his own uncertainty regarding his future with the Raiders

M axx Crosby may have plenty of questions surrounding his own future with the Las Vegas Raiders , but the veteran defensive star is still making sure rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza knows he has support inside the locker room.

That was evident during Las Vegas' preseason meeting with the Houston Texans , when Mendoza endured one of the toughest moments of his young NFL career.

The No. 1 overall pick threw an interception that Houston's Wade Woodaz returned 80 yards for a touchdown, putting the Raiders in an early hole.

Mendoza completed 8 of 15 passes for 86 yards and the interception during his five series before leaving the game at halftime. The Raiders eventually recovered to win 22-20, but the rookie's difficult first half was an important test of how he would respond to adversity.

Crosby , however, was there for him. As Mendoza described the conversation: “It was something along the lines of: ‘We got your back. Let’s go next play.’ To hear that from a team captain is very inspiring.”

The rookie clearly appreciates the influence of one of the most established figures in the Raiders organization.

“Maxx is a great team captain and great team leader, and he’s always encouraging that resilience because adversity is going to happen,” Mendoza said.

That relationship could become particularly important as Mendoza adjusts to the demands of professional football. While veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins remains a major part of the quarterback conversation, Crosby has spent years serving as one of the franchise's most recognizable leaders.

Crosby's future adds another layer to the relationship

The unusual part of Crosby's mentorship is that his own position with the Raiders has been anything but certain.

Las Vegas agreed to trade the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end to the Baltimore Ravens during the offseason in a deal that would have sent two first-round selections to the Raiders.

However, Baltimore backed out after Crosby's physical raised medical concerns, leaving the defensive star back in Las Vegas.

That episode means Crosby knows firsthand how quickly circumstances can change in the NFL.

The Raiders ultimately kept one of their most important players, but another trade remains possible if the team's season goes poorly and Crosby demonstrates that his knee is no longer a concern. That possibility makes his commitment to helping Mendoza even more notable.

Crosby's logic is straightforward: if he is going to succeed in Las Vegas, the franchise needs to develop the quarterback who could become its long-term answer.

Mendoza's performance against Houston showed both promise and areas that need work. Before the interception, he had connected with Jalen Nailor on a 22-yard pass and later found Malik Benson for a key third-down completion.

The Raiders' coaching staff also remains cautious about handing Mendoza the starting job. Head coach Klint Kubiak has not officially named his Week 1 quarterback, with Cousins still expected to have a strong chance of starting.

For Mendoza , that uncertainty makes every preseason opportunity valuable.

Crosby's message, meanwhile, provides a reminder that development in the NFL is rarely linear. Mistakes will happen, particularly for a rookie quarterback facing professional defenses for the first time.

The Raiders need Mendoza to improve on the field, but they also need the kind of veteran leadership Crosby demonstrated on the sideline.

Whether Crosby ultimately remains in Las Vegas for the entire season is still unclear. But for now, his message to Mendoza represents exactly what a young quarterback needs to hear: one bad play does not have to define the next one.